When I started reading The Sitting Swing, I was prepared for the usual type of 'finding myself after an abusive childhood" memoir. What I got was something completely different.

This memoir really reads more like a novel and will touch a chord with many readers. Her parents were Ukranian immigrants - her father was emotionally unavailable and her mother was smothering. She entered school with the disadvantage of not speaking English and always felt like a victim, suppressing her feelings until she really had lost any true idea of who she really was

This book tells of her discovery of that missing self, candidly and yet with sensitivity. Most of us will be able to relate in some way to her journey of self-discovery, and yet still come away from the book with a sense that anyone can take the same journey successfully.

This book is encouraging and inspiring for anyone who have had similar childhoods of abuse. Being raised by a controlling mother and an absent father is common. Irene had the courage to share her childhood with us and show the reader how such a childhood can cause damage that is carried throughout our lives.

Irene uses her story to show us how all of us can take back control of our lives, deal with our pasts and go on to lead a happy life.

This book is definitely a 5 out of 5 stars for me. Be prepared though and have a box of kleenex handy you're probably going to need it!

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